Every few months I love hosting an Ask Me Anything episode where your real-life questions take center stage. 

In this Fall Edition, we dive into seasonal decorating tips that make your home feel festive without the overwhelm, simple family meal planning ideas that keep snacks and dinners stress-free, and why plan B dinners are a lifesaver for busy moms. 

I share encouragement on how to find a therapist you actually connect with, how to build a gratitude journaling routine that sticks, and gentle ways to talk with kids about hard news in the world. We also chat about creative ways to connect with independent teens and I pull back the curtain on how I launched my shop with nothing but an idea, a lot of faith, and some scrappy problem-solving. 

If you’ve ever wished for practical tools and intentional living inspiration, this AMA episode is full of tiny tweaks to simplify your days and help you create a home and life you truly love—no overhaul required.

Mentioned in This Episode:

👉Don’t forget to grab your Simple Purposeful Living Meal Planner and Simple Purposeful Living Happy Notes to tweak your way to success. Use Code: PODCAST for 10% off order!

🌟We’re here to help you live a life filled with intention and joy. Let’s stay connected and spark meaningful conversations on our vibrant social media platforms:

📸 Instagram: Discover daily inspiration and visual storytelling that will uplift your spirit!

👍 Facebook: Join our thriving community, engage in discussions, and get exclusive content!

📍Pinterest: Find a treasure trove of creative ideas, tips, & resources to live a purposeful life!

But wait, there’s more! ✨Don’t miss out on these amazing resources that will guide and empower you on your journey:

🍽️ Free 7-Day Meal Plan Guide: Kickstart a healthy lifestyle with our delicious, easy-to-follow meal plans!

🛍️ Simple Purposeful Living Shop: Browse our curated collection of products that spark joy and make everyday living simple!

📝Simple Purposeful Living Blog: Dive into insightful articles, tips, and personal stories that will inspire you to live with purpose!

Together, let’s embrace the beauty of simple, purposeful living!💖

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve ever caught yourself waiting until you feel “ready” before making a move, whether that’s starting something new, having a hard conversation, or stepping out of your comfort zone, then this episode is for you.

I’m sitting down with Jill Schulman, a former U.S. Marine Corps officer turned corporate leader and positive psychology expert. Her upcoming book, The Bravery Effect, unpacks how courage isn’t about being fearless; it’s about taking steps forward with fear, and how that shift changes everything.

Jill’s story is full of brave leaps: from serving as one of the first women combat engineer officers in the Marines, to leading in the corporate world, to heading back to grad school at 47 to study the science of happiness and wellbeing. What she’s learned along the way is that bravery is not a personality trait, it’s a skill we can all grow, one tiny tweak at a time.

We talk about what’s really happening in our brains when we choose to be brave, why comfort doesn’t equal happiness (even though the world tells us it does), and simple practices like “yet” thinking, reframing stress, and even prioritizing sleep. Each one is a small but powerful way to build your brave muscle without overhauling your whole life.

I left this conversation feeling inspired to stop waiting until I feel ready—and I think you will too.

Mentioned in This Episode:

👉 Find more from Jill at her website www.jillschulman.com!

👉 And if you want to hear more from Jill about bravery, be sure to get a copy of her new book The Bravery Effect!

🌟We’re here to help you live a life filled with intention and joy. Let’s stay connected and spark meaningful conversations on our vibrant social media platforms:

📸 Instagram: Discover daily inspiration and visual storytelling that will uplift your spirit!

👍 Facebook: Join our thriving community, engage in discussions, and get exclusive content!

📍Pinterest: Find a treasure trove of creative ideas, tips, & resources to live a purposeful life!

But wait, there’s more! ✨Don’t miss out on these amazing resources that will guide and empower you on your journey:

🍽️ Free 7-Day Meal Plan Guide: Kickstart a healthy lifestyle with our delicious, easy-to-follow meal plans!

🛍️ Simple Purposeful Living Shop: Browse our curated collection of products that spark joy and make everyday living simple!

📝Simple Purposeful Living Blog: Dive into insightful articles, tips, and personal stories that will inspire you to live with purpose!

Together, let’s embrace the beauty of simple, purposeful living!💖

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the school year kicks off and schedules get packed, I’ve got the perfect cure for those mid-day hunger pangs: 10 quick, grab-and-go meals that’ll keep you full and happy.

Forget boring sandwiches, these meals have personality. We’re talking endless combinations that’ll keep your taste buds on their toes.

Craving something a little fancier? Take a quick trip (with your fork) to the French countryside with charcuterie boards that feel like a mini-vacation in every bite. Or maybe you’re in the mood for comfort, simple bowls that wrap you up like a cozy hug on the busiest of days.

Here’s to good food, zero stress, and meals that make life a little more delicious!

Mentioned in This Episode:

👉Craving a cheat sheet for these mouth-watering delights? My 10 Best Meal Ideas For On The Go blog post has your back!

👉 Enroll in the Master Your Meal Plan email series. Zero dollars, infinite flavor wisdom.

👉Dive into our showstopper: the Best-Selling Meal Planner. Your roadmap to mealtime mastery!

🌟We’re here to help you live a life filled with intention and joy. Let’s stay connected and spark meaningful conversations on our vibrant social media platforms:

📸 Instagram: Discover daily inspiration and visual storytelling that will uplift your spirit!

👍 Facebook: Join our thriving community, engage in discussions, and get exclusive content!

📍Pinterest: Find a treasure trove of creative ideas, tips, & resources to live a purposeful life!

But wait, there’s more! ✨Don’t miss out on these amazing resources that will guide and empower you on your journey:

🍽️ Free 7-Day Meal Plan Guide: Kickstart a healthy lifestyle with our delicious, easy-to-follow meal plans!

🛍️ Simple Purposeful Living Shop: Browse our curated collection of products that spark joy and make everyday living simple!

📝Simple Purposeful Living Blog: Dive into insightful articles, tips, and personal stories that will inspire you to live with purpose!

Together, let’s embrace the beauty of simple, purposeful living!💖

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever looked at a closet full of clothes and thought, “I have nothing to wear”, well this episode is for you. I’m joined by Conni Jespersen, wardrobe stylist and founder of Art in the Find, who has spent the last decade helping women build intentional wardrobes that feel personal, practical, and pulled together. Conni shares how to “shop your own closet” and rediscover pieces you already own, why a tiny tweak like changing a neckline can transform an outfit, and her genius “In-N-Out, not Cheesecake Factory” method for editing your wardrobe so getting dressed feels effortless.

This conversation is practical, inspiring, and packed with those “why didn’t I try this sooner?!” moments that will have you reaching for forgotten favorites and feeling like they’re brand new. Whether you want to simplify your mornings, refresh your fall wardrobe, or just feel more confident in your clothes, Connie’s approach proves that no overhaul is required — just small, intentional steps that make a big difference.

Mentioned in This Episode:

👉 To hear more from the fabulous Conni, check her out on Instagram @artinthefind, or on Pinterest @artinthefind.

👉 You can also find her at her website www.artinthefind.com.

👉Lastly, don’t forget about Conni’s Signature Style Method Course, which will teach you how to style for who YOU are! 

🌟We’re here to help you live a life filled with intention and joy. Let’s stay connected and spark meaningful conversations on our vibrant social media platforms:

📸 Instagram: Discover daily inspiration and visual storytelling that will uplift your spirit!

👍 Facebook: Join our thriving community, engage in discussions, and get exclusive content!

📍Pinterest: Find a treasure trove of creative ideas, tips, & resources to live a purposeful life!

But wait, there’s more! ✨Don’t miss out on these amazing resources that will guide and empower you on your journey:

🍽️ Free 7-Day Meal Plan Guide: Kickstart a healthy lifestyle with our delicious, easy-to-follow meal plans!

🛍️ Simple Purposeful Living Shop: Browse our curated collection of products that spark joy and make everyday living simple!

📝Simple Purposeful Living Blog: Dive into insightful articles, tips, and personal stories that will inspire you to live with purpose!

Together, let’s embrace the beauty of simple, purposeful living!💖

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back-to-school season has a way of throwing us off balance. One moment we’re celebrating the quiet pockets of space that come with new schedules, and the next we’re drowning in routines, expectations, and overwhelm. In this episode, I share how to steady yourself and your family with small, doable rhythms that layer in slowly, like learning piano one hand at a time instead of trying to master the whole song on day one.

Drawing from my years as a first-grade teacher and now as a mom, I talk about why anchor rhythms like bedtime and wake time matter so much, how visual and auditory reminders can take the “nag” out of transitions, and why giving yourself and your kids grace to practice is the key to building habits that actually stick. You’ll hear stories from the classroom, honest encouragement about what’s normal in this season, and practical tweaks to help your days run smoother without the pressure of perfection.

If you’ve felt the floor shift beneath you as the school year starts, this conversation is your reminder that rhythms are not meant to bind you, they’re meant to free you. With patience, practice, and a little faith in the process, you’ll create space for connection, ease, and joy in the everyday.

Mentioned in This Episode:

👉Don’t forget to check out my How to Make Mom Friends Blog Post, don’t forget about yourself, Mama! 

👉Use code PURPOSEFUL for 20% OFF any AquaTru Water Purifier: https://www.AquaTru.com 

🌟We’re here to help you live a life filled with intention and joy. Let’s stay connected and spark meaningful conversations on our vibrant social media platforms:

📸 Instagram: Discover daily inspiration and visual storytelling that will uplift your spirit!

👍 Facebook: Join our thriving community, engage in discussions, and get exclusive content!

📍Pinterest: Find a treasure trove of creative ideas, tips, & resources to live a purposeful life!

But wait, there’s more! ✨Don’t miss out on these amazing resources that will guide and empower you on your journey:

🍽️ Free 7-Day Meal Plan Guide: Kickstart a healthy lifestyle with our delicious, easy-to-follow meal plans!

🛍️ Simple Purposeful Living Shop: Browse our curated collection of products that spark joy and make everyday living simple!

📝Simple Purposeful Living Blog: Dive into insightful articles, tips, and personal stories that will inspire you to live with purpose!

Together, let’s embrace the beauty of simple, purposeful living!💖

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back-to-school season is packed with emotions—joy, nerves, excitement, and a whole lot of worry about what’s to come. In this episode of the Simple, Purposeful Living Podcast, I share eight tiny tweaks that have helped my kids (and me!) face new seasons with courage. From creating side-by-side conversations and normalizing anxiety, to adding comfort anchors, practicing new situations, and celebrating milestones, these small shifts make a big difference in helping kids flex their “fear muscle.”

Rooted in my experiences as a former first-grade teacher and now as a mom to four, this conversation is all about giving our kids the tools to navigate uncertainty with resilience while reminding us as parents that our role isn’t to remove the hard things, but to walk with our kids through them. This episode will encourage you to approach back-to-school with fresh eyes, practical ideas, and a little more peace as you help your children step bravely into the year ahead.

Mentioned in This Episode:

👉Check out Sissy Goff on Instagram @sissygoff.

👉Get your Happy Notes to send in your kids’ lunch everyday. Use code ‘PODCAST’ for 10$ off your order! 

👉Check out my favorite Back to School Books on Amazon!

👉And lastly, don’t forget to download my FREE Affirmations for Kids List!

🌟We’re here to help you live a life filled with intention and joy. Let’s stay connected and spark meaningful conversations on our vibrant social media platforms:

📸 Instagram: Discover daily inspiration and visual storytelling that will uplift your spirit!

👍 Facebook: Join our thriving community, engage in discussions, and get exclusive content!

📍Pinterest: Find a treasure trove of creative ideas, tips, & resources to live a purposeful life!

But wait, there’s more! ✨Don’t miss out on these amazing resources that will guide and empower you on your journey:

🍽️ Free 7-Day Meal Plan Guide: Kickstart a healthy lifestyle with our delicious, easy-to-follow meal plans!

🛍️ Simple Purposeful Living Shop: Browse our curated collection of products that spark joy and make everyday living simple!

📝Simple Purposeful Living Blog: Dive into insightful articles, tips, and personal stories that will inspire you to live with purpose!

Together, let’s embrace the beauty of simple, purposeful living!💖

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve ever opened your fridge, spotted a soggy bag of spinach or a fuzzy berry graveyard, and thought, “Well… there goes $7” 🫠 — this episode is going to be your new best friend.

I’m joined by Amy Cross, urban homesteader and founder of The Cross Legacy, whose viral kitchen hacks have saved families up to 40% on their grocery bills. Her secret? Learning how to make food last way longer than you ever thought possible. From blueberries that stay fresh for six weeks to avocados that survive a whole month 🥑, Amy’s got tips that will blow your mind — and transform your grocery habits.

We talk about the strawberry hack that broke the internet 🍓 (and why you should only trust the original method), fridge systems that actually reduce food waste, and why apples, bananas, and oranges should never hang out in the same fruit bowl. Plus, Amy shares how she shops just once every three to four weeks and still has fresh produce the entire time — all without endless meal prep days or complicated systems.

This conversation is practical, inspiring, and sprinkled with the kind of “why didn’t I know this sooner?!” moments that will have you reorganizing your fridge before dinner tonight. Whether you want to save money, stop wasting food, or simply keep your berries alive past the weekend, this episode is packed with small tweaks that make a big difference.

Mentioned in This Episode:

👉Check out Amy on Instagram for more tips, tricks, and food fun @thecrosslegacy!

👉You can also find Amy on YouTube under the name The Cross Legacy.

👉Check out Amy’s Zero Waste Produce Guide at her website thecrosslegacyshop.com and use code SIMPLE15 for 15% OFF any book or book bundle offered by Amy!

🌟We’re here to help you live a life filled with intention and joy. Let’s stay connected and spark meaningful conversations on our vibrant social media platforms:

📸 Instagram: Discover daily inspiration and visual storytelling that will uplift your spirit!

👍 Facebook: Join our thriving community, engage in discussions, and get exclusive content!

📍Pinterest: Find a treasure trove of creative ideas, tips, & resources to live a purposeful life!

But wait, there’s more! ✨Don’t miss out on these amazing resources that will guide and empower you on your journey:

🍽️ Free 7-Day Meal Plan Guide: Kickstart a healthy lifestyle with our delicious, easy-to-follow meal plans!

🛍️ Simple Purposeful Living Shop: Browse our curated collection of products that spark joy and make everyday living simple!

📝Simple Purposeful Living Blog: Dive into insightful articles, tips, and personal stories that will inspire you to live with purpose!

Together, let’s embrace the beauty of simple, purposeful living!💖

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re officially in back-to-school mode, and if that thought feels more overwhelming than exciting, you’re going to love today’s conversation. Erin sits down with Brittany from @homeandkind — aka the queen of practical mom hacks — to talk all things lunchboxes, rhythms, and how to actually make this season feel lighter, not more chaotic.

Brittany shares how her business evolved from party products to viral lunch hacks, the freezer-friendly tricks that will change your mornings, and the simple snack box system that’ll have your kids packing their own lunches in no time (yes, really). 

She opens up about how motherhood has taught her to lean into her kids’ independence, how she fiercely protects her own hobbies (hello, sourdough and birdwatching!), and why sometimes the best thing we can do is embrace the chaos.

We also talk traditions (her back-to-school dinner idea is genius), her go-to breakfast and dinner shortcuts, and the tiny evening tweak that makes mornings feel 100x smoother. Whether you’re packing lunches for the first time or juggling multiple kids in different schools, Brittany’s practical wisdom and calm encouragement will leave you feeling equipped, inspired, and way less alone.

Mentioned in This Episode:

👉Follow Brittney on Instagram @homeandkind

👉Brittany’s cookbooks (including her Costco + Trader Joe’s One Stop Meals and Lunch Box book): shop.homeandkind.com

👉Reusable Snack Boxes Mentioned

👉Celebrate the start of school by wrapping up summer with my FREE Summer Done List — because checking things off feels so good.

🌟We’re here to help you live a life filled with intention and joy. Let’s stay connected and spark meaningful conversations on our vibrant social media platforms:

📸 Instagram: Discover daily inspiration and visual storytelling that will uplift your spirit!

👍 Facebook: Join our thriving community, engage in discussions, and get exclusive content!

📍Pinterest: Find a treasure trove of creative ideas, tips, & resources to live a purposeful life!

But wait, there’s more! ✨Don’t miss out on these amazing resources that will guide and empower you on your journey:

🍽️ Free 7-Day Meal Plan Guide: Kickstart a healthy lifestyle with our delicious, easy-to-follow meal plans!

🛍️ Simple Purposeful Living Shop: Browse our curated collection of products that spark joy and make everyday living simple!

📝Simple Purposeful Living Blog: Dive into insightful articles, tips, and personal stories that will inspire you to live with purpose!

Together, let’s embrace the beauty of simple, purposeful living!💖

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you believe we’re already at the end of July? Whether your kids are already back in school or you’re soaking up the last few weeks of summer, this episode is here to help you make the transition smoother (and way less stressful). I’m kicking off our Back-to-School series with five simple reminders that will seriously make your life 100x easier.

I’m sharing why it’s so important to look back before you move forward (celebrate your summer with my FREE Summer Done List!), how to turn dread into anticipation, and how to name those big feelings so they don’t take over. Plus, I’m giving you the friendly nudge to do something now your future self will thank you for—like school supply shopping before the aisles are picked over. And of course, the biggest tip of all: keep it simple, sweetheart. No Pinterest awards needed—just easy rhythms, simple meals, and traditions you can actually repeat.

I’m on vacation at the lake while you’re listening, but I’d love to hear what tip resonated with you most. 

Mentioned in This Episode:

👉Summer Done List

🌟We’re here to help you live a life filled with intention and joy. Let’s stay connected and spark meaningful conversations on our vibrant social media platforms:

📸 Instagram: Discover daily inspiration and visual storytelling that will uplift your spirit!

👍 Facebook: Join our thriving community, engage in discussions, and get exclusive content!

📍Pinterest: Find a treasure trove of creative ideas, tips, & resources to live a purposeful life!

But wait, there’s more! ✨Don’t miss out on these amazing resources that will guide and empower you on your journey:

🍽️ Free 7-Day Meal Plan Guide: Kickstart a healthy lifestyle with our delicious, easy-to-follow meal plans!

🛍️ Simple Purposeful Living Shop: Browse our curated collection of products that spark joy and make everyday living simple!

📝Simple Purposeful Living Blog: Dive into insightful articles, tips, and personal stories that will inspire you to live with purpose!

Together, let’s embrace the beauty of simple, purposeful living!💖

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back, friends! We’re smack dab in the middle of the slow, sticky, sunshine-soaked days of July—and if you’re anything like me, that summer pace has you craving ease, fun, and a little bit of rhythm in the chaos. So this week, I’m bringing you a list I’ve been quietly keeping all season long: 10 simple summer saving graces.

These aren’t life-changing hacks or massive overhauls. They’re the small, often-overlooked tweaks—the little joys, household helpers, and daily rhythms that are quietly holding things together and making life feel just a bit brighter. From a new household rule that eliminated dishwasher drama to the frozen Pad Thai lunch I can’t stop eating, this list is full of the good stuff.

Whether you try one, two, or all ten, I hope this episode inspires you to notice and name the saving graces in your own life. Because when we recognize what’s working, we’re more likely to keep doing it—and maybe even enjoy the ride a little more.

Let’s keep life simple, purposeful, and joy-filled—even in the middle of summer chaos. ☀️

Mentioned in This Episode:

👉Get our Best-Selling SPL Weekly Plan Notepad to help your weeks flow smoother. Use code PODCAST for 10% off your order today!

🌟We’re here to help you live a life filled with intention and joy. Let’s stay connected and spark meaningful conversations on our vibrant social media platforms:

📸 Instagram: Discover daily inspiration and visual storytelling that will uplift your spirit!

👍 Facebook: Join our thriving community, engage in discussions, and get exclusive content!

📍Pinterest: Find a treasure trove of creative ideas, tips, & resources to live a purposeful life!

But wait, there’s more! ✨Don’t miss out on these amazing resources that will guide and empower you on your journey:

🍽️ Free 7-Day Meal Plan Guide: Kickstart a healthy lifestyle with our delicious, easy-to-follow meal plans!

🛍️ Simple Purposeful Living Shop: Browse our curated collection of products that spark joy and make everyday living simple!

📝Simple Purposeful Living Blog: Dive into insightful articles, tips, and personal stories that will inspire you to live with purpose!

Together, let’s embrace the beauty of simple, purposeful living!💖

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices